I wrote a review on the 2000 edition of this book last year, and now the 2001 edition is out and it's time for another review.
I first found out about this book when I was a first year medical student. I was working with a private doctor who frequently took medical students in for shadowing experiences. He was out one day and his partner (who was fresh out of residency for about 3-4 months) took me under his wing. He had this wonderful reference in his pocket and I had to ask him about it!
For every drug listed it gives the brand and generic names, adult and pediatric dosing, excretion route (usually liver or kidneys), breastfeeding and pregnancy safety information, and narcotic class (if it is a scheduled medication). This years edition also includes pricing information so you can compare similar products!
The following is the table of contents as listed on the Tarascon Publishing website. I know we are not supposed to "cut and paste" like this, but I feel it is important to show how thorough the book is.
NOTICES, TABLES, FORMULAS
ANALGESICS Antirheumatics, Muscle relaxants, Narcotics, NSAIDs, Other
ANESTHESIA Anesthetics & Sedatives, Locals, Neuromuscular blockers
ANTIMICROBIALS - Aminoglycosides, Antifungals, Antimalarials, Antimycobacterials, Antiparasitics, Antivirals, Carbapenems, Cephalosporins, Fluoroquinolones, Macrolides, Penicillins, Sulfas, Tetracyclines, Other
CARDIOVASCULAR ACE inhibitors, Angiotensin Receptor Blockers, Antiadrenergic agents, Antidysrhythmics, Antihyperlipidemic agents, Antihypertensives, Antiplatelet drugs, Beta blockers, Calcium channel blockers, Diuretics, Nitrates, Pressors, Thrombolytics, Volume expanders
CONTRAST MEDIA
DERMATOLOGY Acne, Antibacterials, Antifungals, Antiparasitics, Antipsoriatics, Antivirals, Corticosteroids, Hemorrhoid care, Other
ENDOCRINE & METABOLIC - Androgens / Anabolic Steroids, Bisphosphonates, Corticosteroids, Diabetes-related agents, Gout-Related, Minerals, Nutritionals, Thyroid agents, Vitamins, Other
ENT - Antihistamines, Antitussives, Decongestants, Ear preparations, ENT Combinations, Mouth and Lip preparations, Nasal preparations
GASTROENTEROLOGY - Antidiarrheals, Antiemetics, Antiulcer, Laxatives
HEMATOLOGY Anticoagulants, Other
IMMUNIZATIONS / IMMUNOGLOBULINS / IMMUNOSUPPRESSION
NEUROLOGY Anticonvulsants, Migraine, Parkinsonian agents, Other
OBSTETRICS & GYNECOLOGY - Estrogens, GnRH Agonists, Hormone replacement combos, Labor induction, Progestins, Selective Estrogen Receptor Modulators, Tocolytics, Uterotonics, Other OB/GYN, Vag preps
ONCOLOGY
OPHTHALMOLOGY Antibacterials, Antivirals, Corticosteroids, Glaucoma, Mydriatics/Cycloplegics, NSAIDs, Ocular decongestants, Other
PSYCHIATRY Alzheimers disease, Antidepressants, Antimanics, Antipsychotics, Anxiolytics / Hypnotics, Drug dependence therapy, Sympathomimetics / Stimulants / Anorexiants
PULMONARY Asthma, Other
TOXICOLOGY
UROLOGY BPH, Bladder spasm, Erectile dysfunction, Nephrolithiasis, Neurogenic bladder, Prostate cancer, Other
INDEX
EMERGENCY DRUGS , CARDIAC DYSRHYTHMIAS, ORDERING INFO
In addition, there are excellent charts on the following topics: (these are just some of the better charts. There are others also)
1. formulas (for calculating pediatric IV fluids, anion gap, creatinine clearance, and many of those formulas that are hard to remember off the top of your head)
2. Pediatric Vital Signs (great for looking up with the normal pulse, blood pressure, or respiratory rates are for each age group)
3. Therapeutic Drug Levels
4. Chart with treatments for specific Sexually Transmitted Diseases
5. Prophylaxis for bacterial endocarditis
6. Comparison of topical steroids
7. Treatment for H. pylori (that bacteria that can cause ulcers)
8. Childhood immunization schedule
9. Dermatomes (by nerve root) in the body.
10. Comparison of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs
11. Oral contraceptives
12. Common drugs considered acceptable in pregnancy
13. Inhaler container colors (to help you and your patients figure out what inhalers they use)
and much, much more!!
The book is only $7.95 for the pocket version, but if you have any exposure to drug reps, you can probably pick up one free!
In addition, there is an electronic version for the Palm OS. It includes all the above information and is available free from www.medscape.com.
The only two complaints I have are that it is only updated once annually, and there is not much information on drug-drug interactions. (for this I recommend Epocrates QRx, also for the Palm OS and freely downloadable, see my review).
If you would like more information, or to see a sample page from the book, visit www.tarascon.com
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